In this precarious balance, Chen Yuan was well aware that he hadn’t lost his feelings for either of the sisters, let alone stopped loving them. He had been lying from the very beginning.
He simply adored Ningning and Yaoyao.
He had no idea how best to cherish them.
It was a cautiousness that was hard to put into words—the desire to be by their side at every moment, yet the fear that too much closeness would ruin everything.
No wonder people say love is beyond our control.
It was like an illness.
It possesses a person.
It leaves you vulnerable and afraid, compelling you to surrender yourself, to throw your whole being into an ordeal that is either a blessing or a curse.
He felt the smoothness and delicate fairness of Jiangg Ning’s skin, not daring to apply even an iota more pressure, as if she were a unique masterpiece. He was delighted to notice Yaoyao was more responsive than usual, like a sensitive mimosa plant whose lashes would flutter at the slightest breeze.
"I went to a gathering for my dad’s side of the family yesterday. I made sure to brush my teeth extra thoroughly this morning. Can you smell any alcohol on me?"
"Just a little. I can smell it."
"You can still smell it? And here I even changed my clothes."
"Alcohol has a very distinct smell. You don’t have to go out of your way like this next time. If I smell it, I smell it. The important thing to remember is to drink a little less at these kinds of events... Never mind." As Jiangg Ning began her lecture out of habit, she suddenly caught herself.
A warning from Jiangg Yao came through her earpiece.
Telling her to control herself and not nag him like that.
’That’s right. Only I would talk like that. Jiangg Yao would never say something like that.’
’Besides, I’m not about to care about this asshole. I’m still furious deep down. Chen Yuan can do whatever he wants; I couldn’t care less.’
When Jiangg Ning suddenly fell silent, Chen Yuan mistakenly thought she was upset again.
"This trip to Kyoto is really necessary. If I had the time, I’d definitely prefer to stay home with you, but I’m sure you don’t want me to be some kid who just loafs around all day," he said, rustling around in his pocket. He pulled out a few items, which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be candies. "My dad’s hilarious. He stuffed my pockets with these at the reception."
He unwrapped a candy and told Jiangg Ning to open her mouth.
Although Jiangg Ning didn’t like sweets, her rosy lips parted slightly as she took the candy from his fingertips.
The touch of her warm lips against his fingers was inexplicably tantalizing.
"Is it sweet?" Chen Yuan asked.
"Mm, not sweet."
"I don’t believe you. Let me have a taste."
"Then I’ll give you... Mphh?!" Jiangg Ning’s brows shot up. She hadn’t realized that when Chen Yuan said "let me have a taste," he didn’t mean unwrapping another candy for himself, but rather...
Now that she was pretending to be her sister, Jiangg Ning was experiencing a completely different side of her boyfriend.
Her hands pressed against Chen Yuan’s chest. She tried to struggle, but it was futile. The heat in her cheeks only intensified as she endured his unrestrained advances.
Her exquisite cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg on, and a flicker of what might have been affection appeared in her eyes.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, laid her down on the sofa, and loomed over her.
The instant he undid a button, she squeezed her eyes shut, her mind chanting, ’Forget this, forget this.’ She had to fully commit to being Jiangg Yao. She was so tense that a murmur escaped her lips.
She didn’t even realize she’d spoken aloud until Chen Yuan asked about it.
"I... I didn’t say anything. You misheard."
"Alright. Yaoyao, you seem a little tense today. Relax a little. We’ve done this kind of thing many times, haven’t we? How come you’re even shyer than before?"
"I’m not. I just don’t feel well."
"Then you need to relax even more." Under Chen Yuan’s gaze, he could clearly see how taut Jiangg Ning’s body was. Even the arch of the foot resting on him was pulled into a rigid curve. Gazing at her soft foot, an idea sparked in his mind. "Right here is okay?"
"Y-Yes," Jiangg Ning managed through clenched teeth.
Without any more hesitation, Chen Yuan grabbed her foot.
Jiangg Ning cried out in surprise, pushing herself up on her arms to glare at him with simmering anger in her eyes.
"Why such a big reaction?"
"You...!" She gave Chen Yuan a light kick. "No matter what, you should at least close the curtains, right? What are you thinking, in broad daylight?"
"Oh, right. I totally forgot."
A man in this situation is typically quite obedient. Without even putting his slippers on properly, Chen Yuan rushed over and pulled the curtains shut with a SWISH, SWISH.
The living room was instantly cloaked in shadow, making the atmosphere even more difficult to read.
The candy was still tucked in Jiangg Ning’s left cheek. Her eyes followed Chen Yuan’s every move as he walked back and forth.
’Soon, I’ll know for sure if Chen Yuan has been sleeping with Jiangg Yao behind my back.’
’Right now, I’m planning how he’s going to die later.’
’Should I kill him and then cook him, or should I just hack him to pieces?’
’Maybe I’ll do all of the above.’
"Is it okay now?" Chen Yuan hurried back, gave her a kiss, and winked. His meaning was obvious.
"Mhm."
’This version of Yaoyao, with her narrowed eyes and the mocking curve of her lips... she’s so alluring,’ Chen Yuan suddenly thought. ’So much more captivating than usual. She’s like a pure Saintess being subjected to my wicked advances.’
’That made it even more exciting.’
He continued with his advances, his heart trembling. After a moment, he urged Jiangg Ning to be a little more cooperative. The feeling of being completely immersed in the moment, body and soul, was too wonderful for words.
Unexpectedly, at the most critical moment, she suddenly stopped.
As he stared in confusion, Jiangg Ning pushed herself up, meeting his gaze with a peculiar expression. He couldn’t quite place the emotion within it, but he felt it held a universe of pain and pity.
And the pity wasn’t for herself, but for Chen Yuan.
"I want to ask you a question," she said softly, her foot still resting on Chen Yuan. "May I?"
"Ask me now?" Chen Yuan was stunned, but he smiled. "Go ahead. If you think this is the right time."
How could he possibly understand?
At that moment, Yaoyao’s furious complaints were pouring into Jiangg Ning’s ear. Her sister’s indignation and sense of betrayal mirrored her own, burning like an unquenchable fire.
Jiangg Ning took off the earpiece and tossed it aside.
"Do you love me?"
Such a scene.
Such a position.
Such a bewildering question.
Chen Yuan was completely dumbfounded.
「A few seconds later.」
"Of course I love you! Does that even need to be said? If I didn’t love you, why would we be in this relationship? Yaoyao, you can doubt anything else, but not this," he answered without a second thought.
"Then do you love Jiangg Ning?" she asked seriously, looking right at Chen Yuan. "Don’t lie to me."
This time, however, Chen Yuan couldn’t blurt out an answer. He couldn’t ignore her deep, searching eyes.
They seemed to hold a perception that saw through everything, a light that illuminated him from his mind to the very depths of his being. At that moment, Chen Yuan felt completely transparent.
He opened his mouth to speak.
For some reason, the easy words "I only love you" just wouldn’t come out.
"I..."
"Can you just tell the truth? Please... stop lying to me."
Jiangg Ning pulled her feet back. She hugged her knees, sitting up on the sofa, her eyes fixed entirely on Chen Yuan.
There was clearly a candy in her mouth, but all she could taste was bitterness.
She frowned, her voice a low murmur as she began to question him.
"Why did you lie to me? You told me you didn’t like her, but then you let her stay by your side, always saying the exact same things to her that you say to me. You’d do anything to be good to her. Isn’t that love?"
"You’re so good to her. Do you really believe it yourself when you say you don’t love her?"
"You didn’t just lie to me; you lied to her, too. You make promises you can’t keep, so why make them so easily in the first place?"
"Chen Yuan, do you enjoy this feeling?"
"Having two girlfriends... makes you feel pretty pleased with yourself, doesn’t it?"
Her tone wasn’t accusatory, but her words struck harder than any accusation.
Her questions left Chen Yuan stunned, utterly speechless.
He was still dazed, wondering why this Jiangg Yao before him seemed so completely wrong. How could her slightly hoarse voice contain such a deep, cutting edge?
Jiangg Ning had lost her composure. She had only kept up the act for an hour, completely failing to stick to the plan she’d made with Jiangg Yao.
From the earpiece dangling off the edge of the sofa, a nearly inaudible, desperate cry could be heard.
Far away in another apartment complex, Jiangg Yao was crying out in despair.
’My sister just blew up! With no warning at all!’